Blackhawks killing it short-handed

A past weakness strong so far with just 1 power-play goal allowed in 23 chances

January 28, 2013|By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter

The parade to the penalty box began midway through the second period and didn't end until shortly before the intermission.

It was during that span in Sunday night's 2-1 overtime victory over the Red Wings that Blackhawks penalty killers muffled four consecutive Red Wings power plays — including 43 seconds of a two-man advantage for Detroit — in what was just the latest example of how times have changed for the Hawks while short-handed.

Last season the Hawks killed an anemic 78.1 percent of penalties, bad enough for 27th in the NHL. After six games — all victories — to start 2013, the Hawks have yielded one power-play goal in 23 times short-handed. That 95.6 percent success rate was good enough for second in the league heading into Monday night's games.

So what exactly has changed from last season? Some positioning, some mindsets and some personnel.

None are working as well together killing penalties as Michael Frolik and Marcus Kruger. Between them, they have one goal and two assists but can be considered two of the more valuable players for the Hawks. Among the team's forwards, Kruger and Frolik rank 1-2 in ice time while short-handed at 3:17 and 3:10, respectively, per game.

"We just try to outwork (opponents)," Kruger said. "We take pride in doing the preparation before the games on everything about their power play. That's an ongoing process all year so we have to keep building on that."

The Hawks have taken steps to attack puck-carriers in bursts to foil opponents' power plays, and they change units quickly to maximize energy.

"We didn't have that much time to practice it, but we try to stick to the plans: Clear the puck 200 feet and make quick changes," Frolik said. "We want to play high-energy PK and put the pressure on (opponents) when we have a chance. So far, it's working."

Defensively, Niklas Hjalmarsson (3:22) and Johnny Oduya (3:20) lead the way while short-handed. The major minutes between those four players have helped the Hawks' top players who also see time killing penalties — Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp, Marian Hossa and Duncan Keith, among others — conserve energy for five-on-five play

"It seems like we have a little bit more of an active PK instead of (being) predictable and our top guys aren't out there logging hard minutes," Quenneville said.

Good penalty killing starts and stops with goaltending and starter Corey Crawford has been more than up to the task in the early going. Crawford has not allowed more than two goals in any of his five starts this season. He also has the best view — from the crease — of what is working well on the kill.

"We're able to force teams to the outside," Crawford said. "It seems like every time a team tries something through the middle, we're able to cut it off or get a stick on it."